Cardinals offense flourishing

Carson Earp, 11, looks to pass the ball during the game between the Lamar Cardinals and the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Saturday night, September 19th, 2015 - photo provided by Kyle Ezell less

Carson Earp, 11, looks to pass the ball during the game between the Lamar Cardinals and the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Saturday night, September 19th, 2015 - photo provided by ... more

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Carson Earp, 11, looks to pass the ball during the game between the Lamar Cardinals and the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Saturday night, September 19th, 2015 - photo provided by Kyle Ezell less

Carson Earp, 11, looks to pass the ball during the game between the Lamar Cardinals and the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Saturday night, September 19th, 2015 - photo provided by ... more

Out of the shotgun formation, Earp can fake the handoff and run the ball, fake the handoff and attempt a pass or hand the ball off to a running back.

It has opened the playbook up for Langston and the Cardinals, who didn't have that luxury in the past as former quarterback Caleb Berry was a pocket passer and averaged just 1.7 yards per rush.

The Cardinals are averaging a Southland Conference best 48.7 points per game and gained 551 yards of total offense, including 328 rushing yards, in their win over No. 12 Sam Houston State.

Offensive coordinator Chuck Langston, who previously served as the offensive line coach, plans on sticking heavily with the read option as the season continues because its deception has worked to his advantage.

"(The read option) has been working extremely well for us," Langston said. "Our guys are running it at a very high level so far this season."

The read option also relies on having the correct personnel, which Langston is convinced Lamar has considering Earp's mobility. In the win against the Bearkats, Earp rushed for 59 yards and has averaged 9.6 yards per carry this season.

Junior running back Kade Harrington has also been a beneficiary, rushing for 230 yards against Sam Houston State on his way to back-to-back Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week awards.

Harrington's game-clinching 73-yard touchdown run against the Bearkats was a result of the read option.

Harrington believes the offense will only get better, especially considering Earp has only started two games.

"I think we're only going to improve," Harrington said. "We've only played three games, so there's still a lot of things we can improve on."

Nobody within Lamar is surprised with their offensive success, but the Cardinals know they will have to make adjustments to the read option as the season continues.

Earp is hoping the bye week will give the offense a chance to modify the read option to keep it successful.